NEW DELHI
Inter Kashi were on Friday declared I-League champions after the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Appeal Committee's decision of awarding the title to Churchill Brothers of Goa.
The AIFF had announced Churchill Brothers as the I-League champions after its Appeal Committee ruled against Inter Kashi in a matter related to the fielding of an ''ineligible player''. The Varanasi club had ended at second spot after points were deducted from their tally.
But following an appeal by Inter Kashi, the CAS asked the AIFF to reverse its decision of awarding the 2024-25 season title to Churchill.
“The AIFF shall forthwith declare Inter Kashi FC as winner of the I-league 2024-25 season,” the Lausanne-based CAS said in its order.
“The appeal filed on 4 June 2025 by Inter Kashi FC against the decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All-India Football Federation is partially upheld.
“The decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All India Football Federation is set aside,” said the CAS award handed by sole arbitrator Frans de Weger of the Netherlands.
The AIFF had no option but to obey the CAS directive, and declared Inter Kashi I-League champions.
“The CAS has ruled that the AIFF shall declare Inter Kashi FC as winners of the I-League 2024-25. The AIFF congratulates Inter Kashi FC on being adjudged champions of I-League 2024-25,” the AIFF said in a statement.
“In line with the CAS ruling, Inter Kashi finish the season on 42 points, Churchill Brothers FC Goa on 40, Real Kashmir FC on 37, and Namdhari FC on 29. Consequently, Inter Kashi FC have been declared the winners of I-League 2024-25,” the statement added.
This was, in fact, the second appeal won by Inter Kashi against the AIFF Appeals Committee''s decision, having already secured a favourable verdict last month.
Inter Kashi thus won the I-League title in its second season of featuring in the second tier club competition of the country. They had finished fourth in their maiden I-League season in 2023-24.
Under the rules, Inter Kashi will be promoted to the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) in 2025-26 season though the event is on “hold” due to the uncertainty over the issue of the renewal of Master Rights Agreement -- to expire on December 8 -- between the AIFF and the organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
The I-League champions of 2022-23 and 2023-24 -- Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting respectively -- were promoted to the ISL.
The CAS, in its verdict, also asked the AIFF to amend the points table of the I-League 2024-25 to reflect Inter Kashi's top position.
Accordingly, Inter Kashi FC will get 42 points, Churchill Brothers will secure 40 points for the second position, while Real Kashmir would be third with 37 points.
Earlier, Churchill were on top with 40 points, followed by Inter Kashi (39) and Real Kashmir (37).
The AIFF will also have to pay 55 per cent of the cost of arbitration, amounting to 3,000 Swiss francs (Rs 3,22,275 approx) to Inter kashi, while the other parties to the case -- Churchill, Namdhari FC and Real Kashmir -- will have to shell out 15 per cent each (Swiss francs 1,000 or Rs 1,07,413 approx).
“The costs of the arbitration, to be served to the Parties by the CAS Court Office separately, shall be borne for 55% by the AIFF, 15% by Churchill Brothers FC Goa, 15% by Namdhari FC and 15% by Real Kashmir FC.
“The AIFF shall pay an amount of CHF 3,000 (three thousand Swiss francs) and Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Namdhari FC and Real Kashmir FC shall each pay an amount of CHF 1,000 (one thousand Swiss francs) to Inter Kashi FC as legal contribution towards its legal costs and other expenses incurred during these arbitral proceedings.” On June 17, Inter Kashi won their first appeal at the CAS against AIFF Appeals Committee's April 18 ruling in a case relating to their match against Namdhari FC -- who were alleged to have fielded an ''ineligible player'' -- in an I-League match on January 13.
